Reaching and Engaging all Learners Through Technology Reflection (6714)

Students come to us with a variety of needs. Being a teacher, I am expected to accommodate those needs; which I do not mind doing at all. However, because of the range of needs that students have, it can be difficult to reach each student individually. Through this course I have learned a lot about how to meet the needs of each individual student through Universal Design for Learning, Differentitated Instruction and technology.

I loved being a part of the Differentiation Station social networking piece of this course. I enjoyed it because I was able to share resources that I had found, look at resources from others and even communicate through chatting with one another. It was fascinationg to discuss our differences in teaching experiences (financial support, schools) and our similarities (goals for students). It was extremely different than using the discussion forum through Walden because I was able to get immediate feedback from someone, and respond right away as well. Through the discussions and sharing I was able to find new resources to use with my students. For example, I found a site that has several games that teach to specific math skills. Those games would be appropriate for all students, because of the variety of levels. There were also sites that teach to other academic skills, such as writing or reading. Not only have I discovered useful websites, but I have discovered different teaching and assessing methods that help differentiate my instruction. Allowing students to choose, or offering a variety of learning methods for them, I am setting each individual up for success. Instrucition that I offer needs to be fair and that does not neccessairly mean equal; it depends on the students' individual needs.

Now that I have a deeper understanding of both Univeral Design for Learning and Differentiated Instruction, I can immedietly implement these methods into my own instruction (as soon as summer break is over). In September I plan on giving my students an inventory of how they learn best and what their interests are. This will ultimately help guide my instruction. Once I have gotten to know my students and their individual needs, I can focus on differentiation and what each of them require in order to succeed. I know that not everyone will be on the same level of success, but if I can help them achieve success on their own learning level, they will become more engaged later on with other subjects. Technology is going to be a big piece of being able to implement differentiated instruction and engagement. I plan on making technology available to all students, each day that they are in school. One way that I did that this past year was a Wiki that I created for the class. For this upcoming year I hope to incorporate a Ning or some other social networking site. I think it will be valuable for the students to communicate with each other through technology.

Throughout all of my courses in this Walden program, I feel that this one was the most valuable to me because in the past I felt like I struggled with differenitating instruction. Now that I have had the opportunity to learn more about it, along with UDL and technology, I have gained a new confidence in my career. I have noticed a great growth in my view on differentiation and feel that I will be able to effectively implement these new found strategies in my own classroom.

New and Emerging Technolgies Reflection (6715)

Throughout the duration of this course, I have learned many things. Each new piece of information will be valuable in my future as a teacher. Being able to explore and discover new and emerging technologies allowed my mind to shift from what is already available to what will become available to teachers. It is imperative to keep looking forward at what may or may not be a mainstreamed technology because, as a teacher, I need to stay ahead of the curve in order to best accommodate my students' needs. I have learned that 21st century learners require a variety to methods to help them learn and exposure to technology is one of them.

Now that I have been exposed to the importance of staying up-to-date with technology, I am able to become an advocate in my own school. The Horizon Report was a very useful resource because I was able to see new technology in a different light. It spoke directly to teachers, giving examples of different technologies that may be implemented in classrooms in the near future, and how long the adoption of them might take. I feel that the Horizon Report would be a valuable tool to use when talking with administration about adopting new technologies. When advocating for new curricular elements within schools, administration wants to see proof that they are going to be worth the money and the Horizon Report allows that.

Another important component to advocating for new technology in schools is the ability to show what the technology is replacing and what it might be replaced by in the future. As teachers, we look to the past and try to predict the future with various types of curriculum. Technology is no different. Looking at the past, we can see a trend from the past to the present. Then from there we are able to predict a future change based on that trend.

From the learning activity in weeks 6 and 7, I learned the importance of covering all bases when recommending a new technology. What I mean by covering all bases is that I need to give an example of how the technology will be used with students, explain how students will benefit from the change, and create a rationale behind it. Together those things will help influence the decisions around its adoption. The completion of this assignment has demonstrated my learning in this course because I was able to effectively support my recommendation of implementing Sloodle in a classroom.

At the end of this course, I have been able to reflect back on all of the new and emerging technologies, along with how to implement them in a classroom. I am very excited to use them in my classroom as soon as school starts up in the fall. One fear that I have is not having the financial resources to support them. However, throughout this course, I have discovered many valuable one's that are free. I plan on thinking about my students 21st needs, and teaching to those needs more than I had before. I now see the importance to adjusting what I do to meet their unique needs.

Course Management System

Course Management Systems are a great way to get students engaged in their education. But what is a Course Management System? Here is a presentation to answer your questions.


Course Management System

GAME Plan Reflection

Over the last several weeks, I have learned a lot about the importance of setting goals and the steps to take in order to reach those goals. Once I set my goals, and started the process to accomplish them, I realized that I was doing the same thing I request from my students. However, it was different because I was thinking consciously about achieving what I wanted. Many times with my students I know where I need to go and how to get them there, I just do not think about it much. Because of this discovery, I feel that it will make me more conscious about my decisions in the classroom and allow myself to spend more time guiding my students to reach the goals I have set for them.

I also learned that not only do I need goals in the classroom, but my students would be able to set goals for themselves as well. This makes a difference because it will ultimately put them in charge of their own learning. Students who feel in charge of their learning are taking a responsibility that will guide them to work harder and be more interested. I think the GAME plan format is perfect for students to use on their own. First they would choose their goal(s), next their action plan, then a way to monitor themselves and finally an evaluation of their work. This format is extremely adjustable to any activity. I have decided that I will use the GAME plan for myself and for my students. It is in my best interest to get the students as actively involved in their own education, because it is their education.

My GAME Plan - Week 7

Over the past several weeks, I have learned a lot about myself and how I can better align technology with the needs of my students. After creating goals for myself and working toward accomplishing those goals, I realized that when I push myself to do something, what I learn will also benefit my classroom.

For example, my first goal (Netiquette) taught me the different ways to interact with others in social networking situations. I had no idea what "flamewars" were, and no idea that students use social networking to be brave enough to say mean things to others. I guess in the back of my mind I knew there was a possibility because kids often act this way at school, but did not think that it could be worse with the use of technology. One way that I am promoting Netiquette in my classroom is by monitoring discussions that the students have on my Wiki. I get emails about what they post and can delete inappropriate things. The students know that I am monitoring it, therefore have put a great deal of effort in communicating appropriately online. I have also found supporting videos from Brainpop to show the class about Netiquette. They loved it and learned a lot from it.

My second goal was a bit more fun for me to do research on. I discovered multiple uses for PowerPoint (minus what I had already used it for), started student penpals through Epals.com, used Skype as a communication tool in my classroom, and implemented more use of my Activboard. Along with these technologies, I have also continued to use word processing, and my classroom Wiki. Since I have had the opportunity to look and learn about new technology I feel that I have more confidence when trying something new in my classroom. This comes out because even if it fails, the students will enjoy the fact that it is something new, and it is technology. The area that I teach in has a lot of Microsoft and Boeing families, so they are well to do and strongly support technology in the classroom. I have heard nothing but positive comments about my use in the classroom.

All around I felt that by creating goals for me to obtain, as well as learning goals for my students create a cohesive classroom because we are all working together. They help me to reach my goals and I help them to reach theirs. I have also learned that by making goals, I can better align my teaching to the National Standards for Technology, which I had not done before. To me, it is important to keep learning and trying new things. By doing this, I will always be interested in teaching.

My GAME Plan - Week 6

I have learned through pursuing my goals, that there is an endless amount of possibilities. There are many things to learn about technology and different programs. As I continue to progress toward my goal, I have noticed that the way my thinking has changed. I am now beginning to look at things through different eyes, more technology directed eyes other than eyes focused on what the norm is. This has been a great revelation because I am seeing things that are going to be able to extend knowledge in standard programs.

As far as "netiquette" goes, I think that I have exhausted the amount of resources to support this goal. I have found information that lead me to creating my own list of "netiquette" rules to follow. By taking ideas from others and creating my own, I will be able to find a way to have them relate to my students on a closer level.

Now that I have a good grasp on my previous goals, I am looking to aim toward a new one.
Goal #3: Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning.

My first step toward reaching this goal had already been taken this past November without my realizing it. I was accepted into my school district's Integrating Technology Program for this summer. We call it ITP. This program is a week long retreat where we learn several ways to implement technology in our classrooms in various ways. I feel that this is taking a baby step toward reaching my new goal.

Reporting on Progress - Week 5

As I get further and further in reaching my GAME plan goals, I am learning more about myself as a teacher and person.

Goal 1: I have discovered that I have not always followed digital etiquette policies because they had never been brought to my attention. One mistake that I have made, at school, was not taking the time to double check an email before sending it. There are too many times where I am too busy, or am rushing through something to even think twice before sending. That has come back to haunt me the one time I actually said something I should not have. Now that I have had time to find resources and create an actual definition for digital etiquette that works for myself, I am more aware of my Internet and email interactions. This is useful because it will, in the end, keep me out of trouble in the future.

Goal 2: As I have started learning about different technology and the way it can be used in my classroom, I have found myself taking more risks with my students and allowing them to "play" with the technology for the hands on effect. Most recently, I have implemented a new use for PowerPoint. In the past, I have always used it for support to presentations; each slide sharing something new. Now I am using it for something more entertaining. Last week my students had finished their reading group books and I needed a culminating project for them to do. Instead of having them do something individually, I allowed them to work in groups on a Book Trailer (similar to a movie trailer), to share their book and try to get other people interested in reading it. I have never seen so much creativity and expansive vocabulary than I had seen on their final products. I was thoroughly impressed by them. This shows me that stepping outside of my own comfort box and allowing the students to display their creativity is an incredible experience and therefore has alleviated some of my concerns.

As of this moment, I am still comfortable with my goals and the steps I am taking to reach them. I do not have any questions, but I still have some concerns. The main point of where my concerns come from is my hesitation in trying new things. However, now that I see that stepping out of my norm works, maybe I will be more inclined to try it more often.

GAME Plan Progress ~ Week 4

Progressing through my goals has been tough (with report cards due last week), but I have made some gains in reaching my goals. Each of my goals are very different from each other, therefore require a lot more time and thought than having similar goals. I do enjoy having extremely different goals though because it allows me to look at different areas to improve; one is directed more for my own personal growth, but the other is directed to allow more student growth.

As I look for information and resources on appropriate Internet etiquette, I have found a few that fit what I am trying to do. One resource is especially helpful. It is from Kids Domain. This site has a list of several different ways to be polite while using the Internet. As I read through them, I even learned a few new things, although most were review. One of those new things is called a "flame war." It is when someone floods another's email inbox with unnecessary messages until if fills up.

Resources about technologies to be used in the classroom have been easily come by. I have recently set up my class with pen pals in New Zealand through www.epals.com. So far, this has been a fantastic learning experience for my class because we have used new technology. They had the opportunity to Skype with our pals and it was fascinating to see and talk to them. From that we moved to digital cameras and creating a presentation about our school to send, via email, to our buddies. There are so many possibilities that I have found and that I am excited about.

At this point, I do not feel a need to modify my goals. I think that with a little time and effort, each of my goals is obtainable and would be valuable for me to reach.

I have learned that no matter how much time and effort is put into something, you are not always going to get what you want. With many of the resources I have found, it has been necessary to find out more because each resource has a snip it of what I am looking for. Because of this, research seems endless although very valuable.

Throughout this process, only one true question has come up; are these possibilities endless? It seems as though there is no true end to the amount of information and research I can come across. When do I need to tell myself to stop? Is there ever too much information to use? I am asking these questions because I feel that soon I will be bogged down with too much information, if that is possible.

Meeting my GAME Plan Goals

Now that I have created a couple goals to get me to the point I want to be at with meeting technology standards, now I need to figure out how to get there. The two goals that I have decided on are very different from each other. One is how to interact appropriately with technology, the other is teaching how to actually use the technology. In order to meet my goals, I will need to take very specific steps for each.

Goal 1: To promote and model digital etiquette and responsibility
To start, I need to figure out exactly what digital etiquette and responsibility is. To me, it means being able to appropriately interact with different technology that is introduced and used. I will need to start by researching what others think digital etiquette and responsibility is. I want to know what the "experts" say, but it is also important to get ideas from my colleagues. Getting their opinion is just as important as what the "experts" say because they are ones who are also interacting with students who are using technology.
Another step I need to take to reach my goal is to decide who to promote and model the etiquette and responsibility of using digital tools. This can be accomplished by simply using technology on a daily basis and making sure that students are able to see my interactions. However, after those two action steps, I am not sure where to go. It seems as though these are the only two things that I would need to commit to to reach my goal.

Goal 2: To use different technologies to teach to the different learning styles
The first action I would take to reach my goal would be to acquaint myself with different types of technology. To do this, I would find either classes focused around technology (whether it is connected to education or not) or do some online research. The Internet offers so many resources that it would be an excellent place to start looking for new technology that I would be interested in implementing. After that, I would need to figure out specific lessons where implementing technology would fit in. Once those lessons have been planned, I would love to test it out on my students. However, instead of being assessed by a colleague, I would set up a video camera so that I can use self-reflection.

From start to finish, research to reflection, there are going to be many components that work together to help me accomplish this goal. I think that if I create a timeline of events, including some of the action steps that I have chosen, it will be easier for me to focus on reaching these goals, instead of letting them just disappear.

My Personal Game Plan

Throughout the past several months, I have been learning about ways I can improve my teaching through the use of technology. Not only have I been introduced to new programs, but I have learned new ways to use old programs. As I read through the National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for Teachers, I found a few things that I am not competent with yet; therefore a GAME plan is a must.

Goals:
1. To promote and model digital etiquette and responsibility
2. To use different technologies to teach to the different learning styles

Actions:
1. Teach the students about what digital etiquette is. Most students do not know the term etiquette, therefore would not know how to apply it to the digital world. I would share with them what appropriate and inappropriate actions online were and how to avoid those situations.
2. Digital responsibility is taught from the day they start using the Internet by teaching the kids not to share personal information. Not only will I reinforce this, but I will spend more time teaching the students what responsible use of technology is (ie. Internet searches).
3. Introduce and implement new technology to the students through instruction and through projects relating to curriculum.

Monitor:
1. Documentation through journaling.
2. Setting dates to have steps toward accomplishing my goals (milestones)

Evaluate:
1. After setting dates or milestones I would like to reach, I will evaluate how my progress is going. I feel that by evaluating myself throughout the whole process of reaching my goals, it will hold me more accountable for actually reaching those goals. At the end of the process, I plan on writing a reflection on my struggles and successes throughout the process.

Even though I have only chosen two goals, I know that there are other proficiencies that I have not mastered and will be working on those as well. However, these two standards are ones that I would like to focus more time on at this moment.

Literacy and Online Inquiry Reflection

This course has opened my eyes to a world of possibility with technology. I have never really forced myself to think about literacy and how it relates to the online world. The most striking revelation in my mind was the fact that I need to make sure that my students need to be taught how to effectively use the Internet and online resources. I have always believed that it would just "come naturally" and I would not need to directly teach those skills. I know that seems hard to believe, but there are so many other things that I am required to teach my students, this is one thing that has never come up. I believe a lot of people do not have a grasp on 21st century skills, therefore it is not important in their eyes.

Now that I know and understand that there are more skills to help students become more literate using the Internet, I will be able to implement those skills into my teaching. One thing that I plan on doing more instruction on is teaching the students how to validate a website. In fourth grade, they are doing research projects and using many different resources. Being able to distinguish which resources have good, valid information is an important skill. I will also be able to teach the students how to use other important resources online to help further their knowledge. For example, having a narrowed down, specific search topic will be useful for students in finding specific resources.

My personal goal is to get into our computer lab once a week so that I have an opportunity to teach these skills. As of right now, I have a scheduled time, but rarely visit the lab unless there is a writing project that is due. Now that I know there are other skills (besides word processing), I have more of a reason to make it to the lab weekly. Half the battle is implementing the resources that are available. Once I have figured out a plan, and stick to it, teaching these skills will come easy.